Adjustable switching apparatus with removable switch setting element

ABSTRACT

Input and output conductors of a switching apparatus are permutably interconnected, via a removable switch setting storage element, in accordance with a selected one of several possible interconnection patterns. The switch-setting information is stored in the removable element by means of a plurality of concealed electrically conductive circuit paths insulated from one another. Sensing of the hidden information is made possible by conductive lancing probes or pins, connected to the conductors, that pierce the removable element and engage the conductive paths. The paths thus serve to permutably connect the input conductors to the output conductors.

United States Patent XXM UU4 ((1 CC% 0082 MM 99 33 .3

"ha re e vr 300 BKN o 555 999 NH 686 G 2 6 254 69 222 {72] inventor EmilC. Walker Woodstock, III. (21 Appl. No 792,389

Filed Jan-2], I969 FOREIGN PATENTS Division of Ser. No. 519.050, Dec.15. 1965. Patented Aug. [0. I97] w a H r. u T H E H s u e Mk H d Mn e CW St mum F C S W 6 H G. mm mm 3 E! v. .w 4 m .m0 PA l [73] AssigneeZenith Radio Corporation C h 30. Ill.

[54] ADJUSTABLE SWITCHING APPARATUS WITH REMOVABLE SWITCH SIZ'I'IINGELEMENT 2 Claims, 15 Drawing H5.

ABSTRACT: input and output conductors of a switching apvia a removableswitch setting storage element. in accordance with a selected paratusare permutably interconnected 235/6l.l2.35/48 Int.

one of several possible interconnection patterns. The switchsettinginformation is stored in the removable element by means of a pluralityof concealed electrically conductive c cuit paths insulated from oneanother. Sensing of irthe hidden 2 8 II. I W 9 m 2N .w m 5 TM 4 n a 48 WW2 MN m2 m C m2 I-IL 6 M k F. 0 5

information is made possible by conductive lancing probes or phis,connected to the conductors, that pierce the removable [S6]RelereucesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS element and engage the conductivepaths. The paths thus serve to permutably connect the input conductorsto the output conductors.

l II.

PATENTEDAUGIOIQYI SHKET 2 OF 5 r w m Wm m mW M C m E OTHELLO SAT. MAY 10"LF'SHUBBU PATENIEU we 1 019m SHEET 3 DP 5 IN VENT UR 0. W0 i ker I00lOl I02 I03 I04 Ta 10 Emil Attorney PATENTEUAUBIOIHFI 4598,9383,

am u m 5 Emii C. WQiker Attorney ADJUSTABLE SWITCHING APPARATUS WITHREMOVABLE SWITCH SETTING ELEMENT CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONThe present application is a division of Application Ser. No. 514,050,filed Dec. 15, 1965. BACKGROUND OF THE IN- VENTION This inventionrelates in general to a system for sensing or reading out switch settinginformation which has been recorded in a storage element. Moreparticularly, it pertains to an adjustable switching arrangement forpermutably connecting one set of conductors to another set of conductorsthrough an interconnection pattern determined by the stored switchsetting information. The invention is particularly useful whenincorporated in a subscription television receiver for decoding areceived coded television signal, and for that reason will be describedin such an environment.

There are many systems which respond to or are operated in accordancewith the stored information on a code-bearing element, such as a codecard. For example, the decoding process in a subscription televisionreceiver may be controlled by code information contained in a removablecode-bearing element. In one such subscription television system thereis an adjustable switching apparatus which must be established in adifferent condition of adjustment for each subscription televisionprogram before the coded television signal for that program may bedecoded and intelligibly reproduced. The switching apparatus has aseries of input switch contacts and a series of output switch contactsand each different condition of adjustment establishes a difi'erentprescribed interconnection pattern between the input and outputcontacts. Code signal components, applied to the input switch contacts,are permuted by the switching apparatus and are then used to decode thereceived coded television signal.

The establishment of the switching apparatus in the particular conditionof adjustment required to decode any given subscription televisionprogram is achieved by means of a removable code-bearing element,inserted in the switching apparatus, containing a unique arrangement ofperforations or electrically conductive circuit paths which are sensedby the input and output switch contacts to interconnect them inaccordance with the particular permutation pattern required to decodethe given program. Different arrangements of perforations or conductivepaths from the same code-bearing element or from several such removableelements may be employed to effect the different interconnectionpatterns required to decode different programs.

Of course, the subscriber should be charged only for those selectedprograms to which he actually subscribes. This may be done by selling tothe subscriber a separate code-bearing element, which would effectivelyconstitute a program ticket, for each program he wishes to view.Alternately, a single codestorage element containing the switch settinginformation for each of a relatively large number of programs may beemployed, and a charge or use recording mechanism may be actuated toregister a charge on a recording medium for only those programs decodedby the receiver.

While these prior systems are quite adequate, they do have certaindisadvantages when compared to the present invention. For example, theinformation readout arrangement of the present invention exhibitseconomy advantages over those sensing arrangements previously developed.Moreover, the present system achieves a relatively high degree ofimmunization against unauthorized pirating of stored code informationfor illicit use.

It is. therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a newand improved recorded information readout arrangement.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improvedadjustable switching arrangement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, there isprovided an adjustable switching apparatus for permutably connecting aplurality of input conductors to a plurality of output conductors inaccordance with any selected one of a multiplicity of differentinterconnection patterns. The switching apparatus comprises a removableswitch setting element containing in concealed form a plurality ofconductive circuit paths insulated from and overlaying each other andproviding switchsetting information representing a given selected one ofthe multiplicity of different interconnection patterns. Sensing means,coupled to the input and output conductors and including a plurality ofconductive lancing probes, is provided for piercing the removableelement to electrically contact the conductive paths and derive theswitch setting information stored in the element, thereby to permutablyconnect the input conductors to the output conductors in accordance withthe given interconnection pattern. Description of the Drawings Thefeatures of fltis invention which are believed to be new are set forthwith particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together withfurther objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood, however,by reference to the following description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates in block diagram form a subscriptiontelevision receiver which includes an adjustable switching apparatusembodying the invention; and

FIGS. 2-11 are various detailed views of portions of the switchingapparatus of Figure 1. Description of the Illustrated Embodiment Theinvention has been incorporated into one of assignee's basicsubscription television systems. That basic system, in various forms, isshown and described in detail in several patents and copendingapplications assigned to the assignee of the present application. Forexample, it is disclosed in U.S. Pats. No. 2,910,526, issued Oct. 27,I959 to Walter S. Druz; 2,995,624 issued Aug. 8, I961 to Norman T.Watters; 3,08l,377 issued Mar. I2, 1963 to Norman T. Watters; 3,081,378issued Mar. l2, I963 to Melvin C. Hendrickson; 3,107,274 issued Oct. 15,1963 to Erwin M. Roschke; and 3,244,806 issued Apr. 5, 1966 to George V.Morris.

Very briefly, assignee's basic subscription television system in whichthe present invention may be practiced involves coding of the videosignal at the transmitter by switching it at random between oneoperating mode, in which the video is delayed with respect tosynchronizing signals, and another mode wherein the video is translatednormally or without delay. The mode changes are made in response to theamplitude variations of a rectangular shaped coding signal developed bymode-determining circuitry and the instants at which those amplitudevariations occur, and therefore the mode changes, are determined in partby the particular instantaneous adjustment of an adjustable switchingapparatus. That apparatus serves to permutably apply a series of randomcode signal components to a plurality of input circuits of themodedeterrnining circuitry to effect random actuation thereof. Adifferent adjustment preferably is employed for each subscriptiontelecast or program. The receiver operates in complementary fashion inorder to decode the coded video signal produced and transmitted by thetransmitter. In other words, a similar mode-determining circuit andswitching apparatus, which must be adjusted to the same setting as theswitching apparatus at the transmitter, operates in response to the samerandom code signal components to develop a decoding signal having awaveshape identical to that of the coding signal. The decoding signal isthen employed to delay those time intervals or segments of videoinformation which were not delayed at the transmitter, while permittingthe delayed intervals of the video signal to be translated through thereceiver video channel without delay, thereby to achieve decoding.

The receiver of the basic subscription television system isschematically shown in Figure 1 and will now be described in greaterdetail. A more thorough explanation, however, may be found in theaforementioned patents. The FIG. 1 drawing is adequate to understand themanner in which the present invention functions in conjunction with asubscription television receiver.

in Figure l, a cascaded arrangement of a radio frequency amplifier, afirst detector or oscillator-mixer, an intermediate frequency amplifierof one or more stages, a second or video detector, and a first videoamplifier is represented by a single block having input terminalsconnected to a receiving antenna 11 and output terminals coupled througha video decoder 14 to input terminals of a second video amplifier which,in turn, is coupled to the input of an image-reproducing device orpicture tube. For convenience, the second video amplifier and imagereproducer are represented by a single block 15. Video-decoding device14 may be identical in construction to the video coder employed in thetransmitter and includes a time delay network and an electronic switchhaving two operating conditions. In one condition, the delay network isinterposed in the video channel to delay the video with respect to thesync information, and in the other condition the delay network isremoved from the video channel so that the video signal is translatedthrough the decoder without the introduction of any significant timedelay.

An output of the first video amplifier in block 10 is coupled to asynchronizing signal separator which energizes the usual field-sweep andline-sweep systems that are connected, in turn, to the deflectionelements associated with the picture tube in block 15. For convenience,the sync separator, and the field and line-sweep systems have been shownby a single block 17.

The audio circuitry of the receiver has not been shown in FIG. 1 sinceit is not necessary to illustrate the operation of the presentinvention.

The random code signal components, developed in the transmitter andemployed to code the video signal, take the form of signal burstsoccurring during vertical retrace and exhibiting at random any one ofsix different frequencies designated f,f,,. In order to control thedecoding apparatus at the receiver the code signal bursts are added tothe composite video signal in the transmitter during the verticalretraceintervals. Seperating, filtering and rectifying circuitry, shown byblock 19, has an input coupled to the output of the first videoamplifier in block 10 and produces from the composite video signalduring each field-retrace interval rectified code signal bursts offrequencies f,f,on respective ones of six different output terminals ofblock 19.

The six output terminals are respectively connected to six differentinput conductors 2l26 of an adjustable switching or permuting apparatus30 which has a series of five output conductors 3135. Switchingapparatus 30, which embodies the invention, corresponds in function tothe switching apparatus referred to above in the transmitter andestablishes different prescribed ones of a multiplicity ofinterconnection or permutation patterns between input conductors 2l-26and output conductors 31-35. A preferred form of switching apparatus 30is shown in detail in Figures 2-11, to be described hereinafter. Thetransmitter switching apparatus may be identical. Switching apparatus 30permutes the applied code signal components as required before they areused for decoding the coded video signal.

Output conductors 31-35 are connected to respective ones of a series offive input circuits of a unit 40 referred to as the mode-determiningcircuitry and which corresponds in construction to the transmittermode-determining circuitry. Unit 40 has another input circuit connectedto the line-sweep system of block l7 to receive line-drive orhorizontal-drive pulses thereover. The mode-determining circuitryincludes a counting or cycling mechanism provided by a blockingoscillator cascade connected to one or more bistable multivibrators. Theblocking oscillator, driven by the line-drive pulses, in turn drives themultivibrator (or multivibrators) the output of which is connected tothe electronic switch in video decoding device 14. Mode-determiningcircuitry 40, in response to the line-drive pulses, therefore producesfor application to the video decoder a decoding signal of rectangularwaveshape having an amplitude change occurring after every series of apredetermined number of line traces, as determined by the counting ratioof the counting circuits included in the modedetermining circuitry. Forexample, in the Morris US Pat. No. 3,244,806 the mode-determiningcircuitry includes a 7:l blocking oscillator and only one bistablemultivibrator; thus, the rectangular shaped decoding signal therebyproduced has an amplitude change after every seven line traces.

Output conductors 31-35 may be connected to different inputs of thebistable multivibrator (or multivibrators). Since the code signalcomponents applied to unit 40 via conductors 31-35 occur at randomduring each field-retrace interval, the periodic actuation of themode-determining circuitry under the influence of the line-drive pulsesis interrupted during each vertical retrace by these code signalcomponents. The effect of the code signal components is to determine thephase of the decoding signal during vertical retrace. Since decodingdevice 14 is actuated to make a mode change in response to eachamplitude change of the decoding signal, the waveform of that decodingsignal reflects or represents the code schedule in accordance with whichthe decoding device operates.

It should be noted that some of the variations of the basic subscriptiontelevision system in which the present invention may be embodied, asillustrated in the aforementioned patent disclosures, employ less thanfive input circuits to the modedetermining circuitry. For example, inthe Morris US. Pat. No. 3,244,806, which includes in itsmode-determining circuitry a blocking oscillator followed by a singlemultivibrator as stated previously, only three of the five outputconductors of the switching apparatus are connected to themode-determining circuitry, each being connected to a different input ofthe multivibrator. In the mOrris case, one of the output conductors isconnected to ground; hence, any code signal components emerging on thatoutput are eliminated and serve no function. The fifth output conductorof the switching apparatus in Morris is connected to a correlationtesting arrangement which effectively determines for any given programwhether the switching apparatus is established in the particularcondition of adjustment required to decode that given program.

Of course, the switching apparatus may have more or less than six inputsand/or more or less than five outputs. in the described system in US.Pat. No. 2,995,624 Watters, for example, the switching apparatus hasonly four output conductors.

Before Figures 2-1! are considered and the details of switchingapparatus 30 explained, a brief review will be given of the operation ofthe receiver of Figure l. A television signal, which has been coded atthe transmitter by delaying certain time segments of video information,is intercepted by antenna 11, amplified in the radio frequency amplifierand heterodyned to the selected intermediate frequency of the receiverin the first detector. The intermediate frequency signal is amplified inthe intermediate frequency amplifier and detected in the second detectorto produce a coded composite video signal which is then amplified in thefirst video amplifier. The amplified video is translated through thecascade arrangement of video decoder 14, and the second video amplifierto the input electrodes of the picture tube in unit 15 to control theintensity of the cathode ray beam thereof in conventional manner. Thesweep systems in unit 17 are controlled in conventional manner by thesynchronizing signal separator.

Unit 19 separates and rectifies the random code signal components fromthe composite video signal and applies these components to inputconductors 2l26 of switching apparatus 30, the particular adjustment ofwhich determines the permutation routing of those components to outputconductors 31-35. Assuming that switching apparatus 30 in the receivereffects the same permutation as the counterpart switching apparatus inthe transmitter, the code components will be channeled to theappropriate inputs of mode-determining circuitry 40. That circuitry,which is periodically actuated by the line-drive pulses, is triggered bythe random code signal components in exact synchronism with theactuation of the corresponding mode-determining circuitry in thetransmitter.

The rectangular shaped decoding signal, produced in the output of thereceiver mode-determining circuitry. thus has a wave form which isidentical to that of the coding signal in the transmitter. Theelectronic switch in decoding device 14 will therefore be actuated bythe decoding signal in time synchronism with the counterpart electronicswitch in the transmitter coder, which is necessary to decode thereceived coded television.

Directing attention now to Figures 2-11, and particularly to Figure 2,all of the circuitry and equipment required to convert a conventionaltelevision receiver to the subscription television receiver of Figure lis housed within a metal cabinet 50. Preferably, cabinet 50 is mountedon top of or in close proximity to the conventional television receiverand a cable (not shown) provides the necessary circuit connectionstherebetween.

A control knob or lever 52, positioned on the outside of the cabinetside exposed in Figure 2, is rigidly affixed to an operating shaft 53which extends through the cabinet wall, into and through a sensingmechanism 55, and then into a PV-TV switching unit 57. Knob 52 is to bemanipulated by the subscriber to either one of two different operatingpositions designated PV and TV, respectively. As shown in Figure 2, knob52 is established in its TV position; rotating it 180 in a clockwisedirection positions the knob in its PV position. Lever 52 is to beactuated by the subscriber to its PV position for the reception anddecoding of a subscription television program and to its TV position forthe reception of conventional nonsubscription programs when the decodingapparatus is to be effectively disassociated from the televisionreceiver. The indicia PV is a shorthand designation of assignee'sPHONEVlSlON"subscription television system. PVTV switching unit 57 iscontrolled by knob 52 and contains the necessary switches for energizingthe decoding apparatus and incorporating it into the conventionaltelevision receiver when knob 52 is adjusted to its PV position and fordeenergizing the decoding apparatus and converting the televisionreceiver to its conventional form when the knob is established in its TVposition.

A pair ofjewels 6], 62 are mounted in and extend through apertures inthe front escutcheon of cabinet 50. Included in switching unit 57 andpositioned immediately behind respective ones of jewels 61, 62 are apair of lamps or light sources (not shown). When unit 57 is in its TVcondition of adjustment the lamp located behind jewel 61 is energized toilluminate that jewel, whereas when the switching unit is in its PVposition the lamp associated with jewel 62 effects illumination thereof.

In accordance with the present invention, the establishment of switchingapparatus 30 in different switching conditions to achieve difi'erentinterconnection patterns between input conductors 2l26 and outputconductors 31-35 is facilitated by different ones of a series ofremovable code-bearing elements or code tickets, each of which containsin concealed or hidden form code information representing a differentinterconnection pattern. In the illustrated embodiment, the stored codeinformation on each code ticket takes the form of a series of concealedelectrically conductive circuit paths that are insulated from eachother. Preferably, a diflerent code-bearing element will be required todecode each different subscription television program. The particularcode ticket which must he used for any given program is inserted insensing mechanism 55 and the code or switch-setting information storedtherein is read out by the mechanism and employed to interconnect inputconductors 21-26 to output conductors 3l35 in accordance with thespecific interconnection pattern required to decode that given program.

More specifically, one such removable code-bearing element, denoted bythe reference numeral 65, is shown in each of FIGS. 4-6. It iscontemplated that each subscriber will be supplied, such as at thebeginning of each month, with all of the code-bearing tickets needed todecode all of the programs for the month. Each subscriber may subscribeonly to those selected programs he wishes by utilizing only the codetickets for those selected programs. As will be seen, each code ticketthat is inserted into and sensed by sensing mechanism 55 is effectivelymarked with a telltale indication evidencing the fact that the codeticket has been used to decode the particular program to which it isassigned. At the end of each month each subscriber may return to thesubscription television operating company those code-bearing elementswhich were not used. A bill may then be prepared and sent back to thesubscriber based on the particular used code tickets. In this way,charges are assessed for only those selected programs which thesubscriber views.

A portion of code ticket 65 is of laminated construction and it is inthat laminated portion that switching setting information is stored. Theconstruction of code ticket 65 is perhaps best seen in F 16$. 5 and 6which illustrate the ticket in one of its steps of formation. The finalform or completed code-bearing element is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The code ticket is made by initially taking a strip of flat cardboardstock 67. The lower two-thirds of the card, as viewed in H68. 5 and 6,is efiectively divided and folded into a series of six equal areaparallel strips or pleats extending transverse relative to the lengthdimension of cardboard 67. With the exception of the lowermost pleat,each has affixed or cemented thereto a respective one of a series offive electrically conductive metallic. such as aluminum foil, patches690 69c to provide five conductive laminations. Each of conductivepatches or laminations 690, 69c, and 69a is affixed to its assignedpleat on the side of cardboard strip 67 exposed in FIG. 5, whilemetallic laminations 69b and 69d are attached to their respectiveassociated pleats on the opposite side of cardboard 67 for reasons whichwill become apparent.

Each of conductive laminations 69a 69e, and the cardboard pleat whichsupports it, is perforated or punched out to provide a pattern or layoutof perforations which is different and unique for each lamination. Morespecifically, each conductive patch 69a 69e is effectively divided intoeleven spaced-apart sensing areas or sections, five of such areas beingin one row while the remaining six are in another row. The eleven dashedcircles in the F K]. 3 view of the completed code ticket effectivelydesignate the locations of the eleven sending areas on each conductivelamination. At least one of the spaced apart sensing areas of each rowof each conductive lamination is imperforate while the remaining sensingareas of that row are perforated or punched out. Considering conductivelamination 69a, for example as view in FIG. 5 there are five sensingareas on the top row or upper half of the lamination and six sensingareas on the bottom row or lower half. The sensing area on the extremeright of the top row and the third sensing area from the right of thebottom row are imperforate while the other nine sensing areas areperforated or apertured. Along each of the right and left margins ofcardboard strip 67, as viewed in FIG. 5, is a series of seven equallyspaced apertures 71 to provide pilot holes for aligning or indexing codeticket 65 in sensing mechanism 55 in order that eleven sensing elementswill register with the l l sensing areas of each conductive laminationin a manner to be described.

After the patches 69a -69e are mounted to their associated pleats andall of the required holes are punched, the lower two-thirds of cardboardstrip 67 is folded accordion style to assume its final assembled form asshown by FIG. 4. HO. 6 shows the positions of the pleats when the cardis only partially folded. When the folding operation is complete, all ofthe pleats and their associated conductive laminations 690 69c areeffectively piled one on top of the other and thus overlay each other.To retain code ticket 65 in its completed form FIG. 4), while at thesame time preventing unauthorized disassembly of the ticket, the pleatedor laminated portion is heat seal bonded. [n the assembled form of codecare 65, the seven holes 71 along each margin register or align witheach other as best seen in FIG. 3.

The reason for mounting patches 69b and 69d on the side of cardboardstrip 67 opposite to that on which patches 69a, 69c and 69e are affixedwill now be appreciated. This expedient results in a layer or ply ofcardboard being disposed between each successive pair of conductivepatches in the completed code ticket. The cardboard is a good insulatorand thus each of the conductive laminations 69a -69e is isolated or insulated from all of the others. Hence, the lower portion of the completedcode-bearing element 65 is of laminated construction including a seriesof electrically conductive laminations 690 -69c which are insulated andseparated from each other by a series of interleaved insulatinglaminations (namely the cardboard pleats on which the conductivelaminations are affixed).

As is apparent in FIGS. 3 and 5, the nonlaminated portion of code ticket65 has indicia printed thereon designating the specific program whichcan be decoded with that code ticket. While it has not been shown, theupper portion of each code ticket 65 may contain a field or pattern ofholes identifying the ticket for audit purposes, namely to facilitatehigh-speed auditing and billing by means of computing equipment. Forexample, program and/or subscriber identification may be indicated by anarray of punched holes readable by a high-speed punch tag reader havingcomputer input. in this way, the computing equipment may read the unusedtickets returned to the operating company by each subscriber at theconclusion of each month and automatically prepare a bill for eachsubscriber for only those programs actually viewed by him.

It will be noted that in the completed code ticket 65 all of theconductive laminations 69a -69e are concealed or invisible. This obtainsby folding the accordion pleats such that layers of cardboard end up onthe two sides of the laminated portion of the code card. The laminatedportion, after it is heat seal bonded, essentially becomes a homogeneousmass. As a consequence, if a person bent on fraud attempts to extractsurreptitiously the code information recorded within the code ticket hewould have to cut into and pry open the bonded laminated portion and inso doing an irreparable telltale injury would result. If he, therefore,attempted to determine the layout of hidden perforations within the codeticket, with an objective of making up a counterfeit or facsimile ticketfor his decoding apparatus and returning the legitimate code ticket asan unused ticket for a credit billing, his actions would be detected bythe appearance of the returned code ticket since the breaking orsevering of the heat seal bond may easily be observed.

Consideration will now be given to the details of the sensing mechanismfor reading each of the eleven sensing areas on each of the fiveconductive laminations 69a -69e. Sensing mechanism 55 includes aU-shaped metallic base support frame having a bight portion or base 800which is parallel to the bottom of cabinet 50, a front upright support80b, and a back or rear upright support 80c. Bight portion 80a issupported from the bottom of cabinet 50 by means of four support legs81. A pair of metallic sideplates 83, 84 are rigidly connected to frontand back upright supports 80b, 80c, side plate 83 being affixed to theuprights on the right side thereof, as viewed in Figure 10, whilesideplate 84 is attached to the left of upright supports 80b, 80c. A topplate 82, preferably made of plastic, is rigidly connected to andbetween side plates 83 and 84.

A die block 87. preferably constructed of plastic, is rigidly affixed tothe rear side of front upright support 8%. A pair of guide rods or rails85. 86 extend between upright supports 80b. 80c and through channels orbores in die block 8'7. Each of these guide rods is captivated inposition by means of a push-on spring fastener 88, mounted on the rod infront of front upright b, and by an E-shaped retaining or snap ring 89mounted in a groove of the guide rod immediately behind die block 87.

A U-shaped metallic channel support frame 91 is guided by rods and 86for movement in the axial direction of the rods. This is facilitated byapertures at the terminal ends of channel frame 91 through each of whicha respective one of guide rods 85, 86 extends, the diameters of theapertures and of the guide rods being such that channel frame 91 maymove freely. Along the open end of U-shaped channel 91 there is rigidlyaflixed a plastic bar or strip 93. Molded into plastic member 93 areeleven spaced apart, sharp pointed, electrically conductive sensing pinsor probes 94-104. As will be seen the eleven pins 94-104 are provided topierce the laminated portion of code ticket 65 to sense the elevensensing areas of each conductive lamination 69a -69e. Hence, it isappropriate to refer to sensing probes 94-104 as piercing or lancingdevices.

As best seen in Figure 10, the l l piercing devices are separated intotwo rows, six of the devices (sensing probes 94-99) being provided onthe top row while the other five piercing pins -104 are disposed in thebottom row. As is apparent, this arrangement of the 11 sensing probesmatches the arrangement of the ll sensing areas on each of theconductive patches 69a -69e. Sensing probes 94-99 are electricallyconnected to input conductors 21-26 respectively, while probes 100-104are electrically connected to respective ones of output conductors31-35, as best seen in Fig. 11. Probes 94-99 thus may be called inputprobes while probes 100-104 may be referred to as output probes.

Each end of channel frame 91 is connected to rear upright support 800 bya respective one of a pair of coil springs 108, 109. These springs biasor urge frame 91 and piercing probes 94-104 toward upright support 80c.A plastic stripper or pin guide plate 111 is also slidably mounted onguide rods 85 and 86 for limited movement in the axial direction of therods. Specifically, rods 85 and 86 extend through apertures or bores ofstripper plate 111. The distance of permissible movement is limited by apair of E-shaped retaining rings 112 each of which is mounted in agroove of a respective one of rods 85, 86 between stripper plate 111 andpin holder 93. A pair of coil springs 114, connect respective ends of astripper plate 111 to the corresponding ends of channel frame 91. Inthis way, when frame 91 and the sensing probes are established in theirrearwardmost position (as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9), coil springs114 and 115 will be sufficiently tensioned to urge stripper plate 111toward channel frame 91.

Rigidly mounted to holder 93 and frame 91 are a pair of pilot pins 117,118. Channels or bores in both stripper plate 111 and die block 87register or align with pilot pins 117 and 118. When frame 91, and thesensing elements attached thereto, are moved to their most forwardposition (namely closest to front upright support 80b as shown in FIG.9b pins 117 and 118 extend into the bores of stripper 111 and die block87 with which the pins are registered.

A guide channel or bore for each of piercing probed 94- 104 is providedin each of plate 111 and die block 87. These guide holes register oralign with their associated respective sensing probes in order that theprobes may be guided and accommodated as frame 91 is moved toward frontupright support 80b. in FIG. 9 it will be noted that the ends of pilotpins 117 and 118 are slightly pointed. This facilitates accurateindexing or registration of sensing probes 94- 104 with their associatedguide holes in stripper plate 111. A respective one of a pair of coilsprings 121, 122 surrounds each of pilot pins 117, 118 in order to pushstripper plate 111 toward front upright support 80b when frame 91 ismoved in that direction.

Channel frame 91 may be moved by the subscriber in the axial directionof guide rods 85 and 86 by manipulating control knob 52. Specifically,operating shaft 53, which is rigidly connected to knob 52, extendsthrough and is journaled in an aperture in each of side plates 83, 84.The shaft is captivated in position by a pair of E-shaped retainingrings 131 respectively mounted in grooves of shaft 53 on the two sidesof plate 84, as best seen in FIG. 10. Rigidly connected to shaft 53between sideplates 83 and 84 is a crank member 132 having a pair ofspaced apart, projecting portions 1320, only one of which is seen inFIGS. 8, 8a and 8b. A hinge pin of rod 133 extends between and isjournaled in apertures of the two projecting portions 1320. The upperend of a hinge member 135 is freely mounted on and hangs from hinge pin133. The lower end of hinge 135 has a pair of parallel, spaced-apartprojecting tabs 135a each of which has an aperture for receiving andsupporting a hinge pin 136. Pin 136 in turn supports for free rotationone end of each ofa pair of hinge members 137, 138. The other end ofhinge 137 is connected to a pair of projecting tabs 91a, struck out ofchannel frame 91, by means of a hinge pin 139 which extends throughapertures in tabs 91a. The other end of hinge 138 is connected to a pairof tab portions 80d, struck out of rear upright support 800, by means ofa hinge pin 141 which is journaled in an aperture of each of the tabportions.

The various hinge pins are held or captivated in position by a series ofretaining rings. Specifically, a retaining ring 142 snaps into a grooveof pin 139, a retaining ring 143 is mounted in a groove of pin 136, anda pair of retaining rings 144 are respectively mounted in a pair ofgrooves of hinge pin 141.

The arrangement of hinge members 135, I37 and 138 constitutes a togglelinkage. It operates between the two extreme positions as shown in FIGS.8 and 80, respectively, by manipulation of control knob 52. In FIG. 8crank 132 is established in its TV position. Counterclockwise movementout of the TV position is prevented by projecting portion 1320 of crank132 which butts against the under side of top plate 82. Clockwiserotation of control lever 52, and consequently crank 132, when goingfrom the TV to the PV position, shown in FIG. 8a, is also limited byprojecting portion 1320 which engages a different area ofthe undersidesurface ofplastic top plate 82.

Clockwise rotation of crank 132 from its TV position, shown in FIG. 8,to its PV position, shown in FIG. 80, -causes hinge pin 133 andconsequently pin 136 to lower or descend. Since hinge pin 141 is fixedboth vertically and horizontally, whereas hinge pin 139 is only held (bychannel frame 91 and guide rods 85, 86) against vertical movement,lowering of pin 136 causes pin 139 and consequently channel frame 91 tomove toward front upright support 8011. When knob 52 and crank 132 arethen moved [80 in a counterclockwise direction from the PV position ofFIG. 8a to the TV position of FIG. 8 hinge pin 136 raises and drawshinge pin 139 and consequently channel frame 91 toward rear uprightsupport 80c.

Plastic top plate 82 includes a ticket chute or slot portion 82a (bestseen in FIG. 8) which is dimensioned to receive code-bearing element 65.The width of the ticket chute is slightly larger than the thickness ofthe laminated portion of code ticket 6S and is approximately equal tothe distance separating die block 87 and stripper piate 111 when thestripper plate assumes its TV position shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. As willbe explained shortly, the subscriber will be permitted to insert codeticket 65 into slot 82a only when the sensing mechanism is establishedin its TV position. shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Hence, at that time stripperplate 111 will be in its rearwardmost position to allow the insertedcode ticket to occupy the position shown in FIG. 8. The lower end of thedeposited code ticket is supported or arrested by a pair of tabs 80e(only one of which is shown in FIG. 8) struck out of base support 800.

A metallic slide cover 148 is provided for covering up ticket slot 820.Specifically, cover 148 is slidably mounted on top of plastic top plate82 by a pair of turned-in retaining lips 83a, 84a formed by the topedges of side plates 83, 84 respectively. The front edge of cover 148 isrolled to form a gripping portion 1480 to permit the subscriber toconveniently move the slide cover between the two positions respectivelyshown in FIGS. 7 and 8, FIG. 7 illustrating its open position and FIG. 8showing its closed position.

Slide cover 148 may be pushed to its rearwardmost position, shown inFIG. 7, only when knob 52 and consequently crank 132 are established intheir TV position. This is achieved by means of a metallic interlockbearing ball 15] and a V-shaped notch 132!) formed in crank I32 andextending in the axial direction of operating shaft 53. Interlock ball151 lies and is captivated within an aperture, formed in top plate 82,which prevents any substantial horizontal movement of the ball. Limitedvertical movement is permitted, however, being restricted by crank 132and slide cover 148. In the TV posi tion shown in FIG. 8, notch 1321; ispositioned immediately below interlock ball 151 and thus the ball dropsinto the notch in the TV position. As seen in FIG. 8, the top portion ofball 151 is aligned with the upper surface of top plate 82. As aconsequence, ball 151 presents no obstruction to slide cover 148,permitting it to be moved by the subscriber to the position shown inFIG. 7.

Interlock ball 151 also prevents clockwise movement of crank 132 fromits PV position of FIG. as long as slide cover 148 is in its openposition shown in FIG. 7. This feature is best seen in FIG. 8b. In thatopen position the slide cover 148, the bottom surface of the cover bearsagainst the top of ball 15], thereby locking the ball in notch 132b.Ball 151 consequently locks crank 132 against both clockwise andcounterclockwise rotation. As a result, when cover 148 is in it s openposition no movement of crank 132 in either direction is permitted.

After the subscriber has inserted code ticket 65 into chute 82a slidecover 148 must therefore be moved to its closed position, shown in FIG.8, before crank 132 may be moved l80 clockwise from its TV to its PVposition. Clockwise movement of crank 132 out of its TV position ispermitted when the cover is closed by an inverted V-shaped recessportion 148!) formed in slide cover 148. The recess is located so thatit is positioned directly over ball 151 when the slide cover is in itsfully closed position shown in FIG. 8. Crank 132 may be rotatedclockwise out of its TV position of FIG. 8 since notch 132b cams ball15] upward into the confines of recess I48b. The recess is sodimensioned that ball 15] may be pushed completely out of notch l32b topermit crank 132 to be rotated to its PV position shown in FIG. 8a.

After crank 132 has been so rotated, recess 148!) and interlock ball 151prevent the subscriber from opening cover 148. To explain, in the PVposition crank 132 holds ball 15] in recess 148b, as shown in FIG. 8a,and any attempt by the subscriber to move slide cover 148 from itsclosed position will be prevented as ball 151 effectively locks recessI48b against any movement. Thus the subscriber will be unable to opencover 148 when know 52 is in its PV position.

Consideration will now be given to the operation of the illustratedsensing mechanism. The subscriber is initially required to push slidecover 148 to its open position as shown in FIG. 7 and, as mentionedpreviously, this can only be done if knob 52 has first been establishedin its TV position. He may then insert code-bearing element 65 into slot820 whereupon the code ticket will assume the position shown in FIG. 8.In that position each of the eleven sensing areas of each of the fiveconductive laminations 69a 69e registers with a respective one of theeleven sensing probes 94-104. Moreover, pilots holes 71 of the codeticket are aligned with pilot pins 117 and 118. In order to read thecode information stored in code ticket 65 and to establish the correctinterconnection pattern between input conductors 21-26 and outputconductors 31-35, the subscriber must close slide cover 148 and thenrotate knob 52 clockwise to its IV position. The resulting rotation ofcrank 132 causes channel frame 91 and the sensing probes attachedthereto to move toward code ticket 65. Pilot pins 117 and 118, beinglonger than sensing probes 94-104, extend into pilot holes 71 of thecode ticket before the sensing probes initially contact the code ticket.This is shown in FIG. 9a which illustrates the movable elements of thesensing mechanism at a position intermediate the TV and PV positions.Note that in FIG. 9a stripper plate 11] has been moved toward the codeticket from its TV position shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. This is caused bycoil springs 121 and 122, which enter into the enlarged portions of theholes in stripper plate 111 for pilot pins 117 and 118, so that movementof channel frame 91 will be imparted or transferred to the stripperplate.

As crank 132 continues to be rotated toward its PV posi tion, sensingprobes 94-104 contact and then pierce the laminated portion of the codeticket, culminating in the final position illustrated in FIG. 9b. Anadvantage of the toggle linkage, comprising hinges 135, I37 and 138,will now be appreciated. A feature of such an arrangement is thatmaximum force is produced with minimal horizontal displacement. When thelancing probes pierce the code ticket the toggle linkage is arranged sothat maximum force is produced.

Hence, in the PV position each of the ll sensing probes 91-104 piercesand senses an assigned series of corresponding sensing areas on the fiveconductive laminations 69a 69c. This is clearly illustrated in FIG. 3which shows code ticket 65 while it is pierced by the sensing probes.When any given one of input probes 94-99 or output probes 100- I04probes a sensing area of a conductive lamination that is cut away orperforated, obviously no electrical connection will be establishedbetween that conductive lamination and the sensing probe. On the otherhand, when that probe senses and pierces a sensing area that isimperforate, and excellent electrical connection results between theprobe and the conductive lamination.

FIG. 11 clearly illustrates all of the electrical connectionsestablished between the input and output lancing probes via conductivelaminations 69a 69e for the illustrated given code ticket. In thatFigure, the laminated portion of the code ticket, while it is beingprobed by sensing elements 94-104, is shown by two cross-sectional viewsone of which reveals the sensing areas probed by input probes 94-99while the other shows the sensing areas examined by output probes100-104. As clearly shown, input probe 94 pierces and establishes anelectrical contact only with conductive lamination 69c. That laminationis also pierced by output probe 100 and thus an electrical connection isestablished between input probe 94 and output probe 100 via conductivelamination 69e. Input probe 95 pierces only conductive layer 69d whichis also pierced by output probe 101, thereby establishing an electricalconnection between probes 95 and 101 by way of conductive lamination69d. In similar fashion, input probe 96 connects to output probe 103 viaconductive lamination 69b, input probe 97 connects to output probe 104through conductive lamination 69a, input probe 98 connects to outputprobe 102 by way of conductive lamination 69c, and input probe 99pierces conductive layer 69e to establish an electrical connection tooutput probe 100.

Such an interconnection pattern between the input and output probesresults in input conductors 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 being respectivelyconnected to output conductors 31, 32, 34, 35, 33, and 31. Theseparticular interconnections will, of course, be the ones that arerequired in order for the subscription television receiver of FIG. 1 tosuccessfully decode the program to which code ticket 65 is assigned.

While in the illustrated embodiment of the invention it is contemplatedthat different code tickets, containing different arrangements ofconductive paths, will be used for different programs, the same codeticket may be employed to decode a series of different subscriptionprograms,. For example, the same ticket may be used to decode all of theprograms during any given evening or during an entire week or month.Moreover, a different interconnection pattern between the outputs ofcode signal source 19 and the inputs of mode determining circuitry 40may be obtained for each one of a series of different programs whileemploying only a single code ticket for every program in the series.This may be realized, for example, by interposing one or more matrixswitching arrangements in series of in cascade with adjustable switchingapparatus 30. Each matrix switch may have an adjustable control 12 knowpositionable to any one of a variety of different settings each of whichpermutably connects the input and output conductors of the switch inaccordance with a different pattern. For each program, the subscriberwill be instructed to adjust the matrix switch or switches to specifiedsettings which will be unique to that program.

Returning now to the specific illustrated case, upon the conclusion ofthe particular subscription television program which has been decoded bycode ticket 65, the subscriber will be obliged to rotate knob 52counterclockwise from its PV to its TV position, thereby causing crank132 to rotate counterclockwise from its position shown in FIG. 8a tothat shown in FIG. 8. This in turn causes channel frame 91 and thesensing probes to withdraw from code ticket 65 and stripper plate 111 totheir positions shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Slide cover 148 may now bepushed back to its own position shown in FIG. 7 to permit the subscriberto remove code ticket 65 from the sensing mechanism. Of course, thedished out portion 82b formed in plastic top plate 82, above slot 82a,facilitates convenient gripping of the code ticket for removal.

The used code ticket now contains a series of 11 ruptures made by the lI sensing probes. These ruptures provide a clear indication that thecode ticket has in fact been utilized. As mentioned previously, at theend of each month those particular code tickets which are not used bythe subscriber may be turned into the subscription operating company forbilling purposes. Charges will be assessed only for those programs forwhich the associated code tickets have been pierced and thereforeutilized for decoding.

To summarize the invention, an adjustable switching apparatus 30 isprovided for permutably connecting a plurality ofinput conductors 21-26to a plurality of output conductors 31-35 in accordance with anyselected one of a multiplicity of different interconnection patterns.The switching apparatus comprises a removable switch element 65containing in concealed form switch setting information representing agiven selected one of the multiplicity of different interconnectionpatterns. Sensing means is provided for piercing removable element 65 toderive the switch-setting information stored therein and to permutablyconnect input conductors 21-26 to output conductors 31-35 in accordancewith the given interconnection pattern.

More particularly, the switch setting information stored in removableelement 65 takes the form of a plurality of concealed electricallyconductive paths (conductive laminations 69a 69e insulated from oneanother. The sensing means includes a group of electrically conductivepiercing devices (sensing probes 94-104), insulated from one another, tobe actuated by the subscriber to pierce element 65, each of theconductive paths being pierced and contacted by at least two of thepiercing devices to establish an electrical connection from one of thosepiercing devices to the other via the associated pierced conductivepath.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, modifications may be made, and it is intended in the appendedclaims to cover all such modifications as may fall within the truespirit and scope of the invention.

Iclaim:

1. An adjustable switching apparatus for permutably connecting aplurality of input conductors to a plurality of output conductors inaccordance with any selected one of a multiplicity of differentinterconnection patterns, comprising:

a removable switch-setting element containing in concealed form aplurality of conductive circuit paths insulated from and overlaying eachother and providing switch-setting information representing a givenselected one of said multiplicity of different interconnected patterns;

and sensing means, including a first set of conductive lancing probesrespectively connected to said input conductors and a second set ofconductive lancing probes respectively connected to said outputconductors, for piercing said removable element to electrically contactsaid conductive paths, each of said conductive circuit paths beingpierced and contacted by at least one of the lancing probes of saidfirst set and by at least one of the lancing probes of said second setto permutably connect said input conductors to said output conductors inaccordance with said given interconnection pattern, in which at least aportion of said removable element is of laminated construction with saidconductive circuit paths being formed in the laminated construction byconductive layers insulated and separated from each other by a pluralityof interleaved insulating layers, with certain prescribed areas of theconductive layers being effectively cut away, and in which each of saidlancing probes registers with and extends into a cutaway area of atleast one of said conductive layers, thereby being insulated from thatlayer, but piercing and electrically contacting at least one otherconductive layer such that each of said conductive layers is pierced byand electrically connected to at least one of the lancing probes of saidfirst set and at least one of the lancing probes of said second set toestablish and electrical connection therebetween.

2. An adjustable switching apparatus according to claim 7 in which eachof said conductive layers is similarly divided into a pattern ofspaced-apart sensing areas each of which areas is assigned to arespective one of said lancing probes and aligns with a correspondingsensing area of each of said other conductive layers, at least one ofthe sensing areas of each aligned plurality of corresponding sensingareas being imperforated while all of the other corresponding sensingareas of the other conductive layers are perforated, said lancing probesregistering with and extending through their assigned sensing areas topierce and connect electrically to those particular sensing areas thatare imperforate, each conductive layer having imperforate one of itssensing areas assigned to the lancing probes of said first set and oneof its sensing areas assigned to the probes of said second set, therebyto establish and electrical connection between a probe of said first setand a probe of said second set.

1. An adjustable switching apparatus for permutably connecting aplurality of input conductors to a plurality of output conductors inaccordance with any selected one of a multiplicity of differentinterconnection patterns, comprising: a removable switch-setting elementcontaining in concealed form a plurality of conductive circuit pathsinsulated from and overlaying each other and providing switch-settinginformation representing a given selected one of said multiplicity ofdifferent interconnected patterns; and sensing means, including a firstset of conductive lancing probes respectively connected to said inputconductors and a second set of conductive lancing probes respectivelyconnected to said output conductors, for piercing said removable elementto electrically contact said conductive paths, each of said conductivecircuit paths being pierced and contacted by at least one of the lancingprobes of said first set and by at least one of the lancing probes ofsaid second set to permutably connect said input conductors to saidoutput conductors in accordance with said given interconnection pattern,in which at least a portion of said removable element is of laminatedconstruction with said conductive circuit paths being formed in thelaminated construction by conductive layers insulated and separated fromeach other by a plurality of interleaved insulating layers, with certainprescribed areas of the conductive layers being effectively cut away,and in which each of said lancing probes registers with and extends intoa cutaway area of at least one of said conductive layers, thereby beinginsulated from that layer, but piercing and electrically contacting atleast one other conductive layer such that each of said conductivelayers is pierced by and electrically connected to at least one of thelancing probes of said first set and at least one of the lancing probesof said second set to establish an electrical connection therebetween.2. An adjustable switching apparatus according to claim 7 in which eachof said conductive layers is similarly divided into a pattern ofspaced-apart sensing areas each of which areas is assigned to arespective one of said lancing probes and aligns with a correspondingsensing area of each of said other conductive layers, at least one ofthe sensing areas of each aligned plurality of corresponding sensingareas being imperforate while all of the other corresponding sensingareas of the other conductive layers are perforated, said lancing probesregistering with and extending through their assigned sensing areas topierce and connect electrically to those particular sensing areas thatare imperforate, each conductive layer having imperforate one of itssensing areas assigned to the lancing probes of said first set and oneof its sensing areas assigned to the probes of said second set, therebyto establish an electrical connection between a probe of said first setand a probe of said second set.